Liverpool Street Station has retained its position as the UK's busiest railway station for the third consecutive year, recording 98 million entries and exits in the year ending March 2025. The London hub saw a 3.7% increase from 94.5 million the previous year, according to new data from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
The figures show rail usage continuing to grow nationwide, with total passenger journeys across the UK reaching 1.73 billion, a 7% rise from the previous year's 1.61 billion. London stations dominate the rankings, claiming all spots in the national top ten.
London's Railway Dominance
Waterloo Station secured second place with 70.4 million entries and exits, reclaiming its position after years as the nation's busiest before the Elizabeth line's opening. Paddington Station came third with 69.9 million, followed by Tottenham Court Road at 68.1 million and London Bridge at 54.7 million.
The Elizabeth line, which opened in May 2022, continues to reshape passenger flows. The rail service connects Reading and Heathrow Airport in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east, serving both Liverpool Street and Tottenham Court Road stations.
Regional Leaders
Birmingham New Street leads stations outside London with 36.6 million entries and exits. Manchester Piccadilly recorded 27.4 million and Leeds 27.3 million.
Glasgow Central topped Scottish stations with 25.3 million entries and exits. Cardiff Central claimed the Welsh lead with 12.5 million.
Britain's Quietest Station
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Elton and Orston station in Nottinghamshire recorded just 68 entries and exits for the entire year. The unstaffed station has no seating area or toilet and receives only one East Midlands Railway train per day in each direction between Mondays and Saturdays, with no Sunday service.
Expansion Plans
Liverpool Street Station faces a controversial expansion application projected to increase capacity to 150 million passengers annually by 2050. Network Rail's planning application has attracted over 2,000 objections and 1,000 letters of support, with conservationists opposing the funding mechanism involving a tower block above the station. The City of London Corporation's planning committee is expected to consider the application next year.
Feras Alshaker, director of planning and performance at the Office of Rail and Road, said: «This year's statistics show rail usage continuing to grow around the country, and we're also seeing the sustained impact of major investment, particularly the Elizabeth line. These insights are vital in understanding how travel patterns are changing and in planning a network that meets passenger needs.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
